Kimberly Chan Photography Blog »

Kimberly Chan Photography Blog bio picture
  • Why, hello you!

    I’m Kim. I’m a wedding photographer based in Northern California. Take a peek around to learn a little bit more about me and what I love to do. Weddings are my forte and when I’m not behind the camera documenting love, you can find me hanging out with my baby girl, husband and pup. For more information, head over to the website. Follow up with the latest by clicking on the links below.

Esther + Mario: A Wedgewood Eagle Ridge Golf Club Wedding In Gilroy

Oh, what a crazy couple of months these last few have been.  Crazy busy.  And crazy beautiful.  There are moments and days where the workload seems a bit overwhelming but in those times, I am reminded of how awesome it is to be living out my dreams.  I’m so thankful.  It’s been a summer full of love, weddings and smiles.  The kind of things that fill my heart with such joy.

Lots of amazing weddings to blog and share in the coming weeks.  And there’s no better way to start it all off than with Esther and Mario’s wonderful August wedding.  The morning began in downtown San Jose at the lovely Fairmont hotel and the ceremony and reception were held at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Gilroy.  From the color palette to the flowers, it was one beautiful wedding.  So many pretty details and special moments.  Not to mention, one of the cutest ring bearers ever.  It was a true celebration of love and commitment surrounded by those who mean the most to them.

Esther and Mario, it has been such fun!  We loved working with you guys and getting to know you two. A heartfelt thank you for everything and it was a true honor to be a part of your wedding day.  We are so excited for you guys and what the future holds for you both!  xoxo

These next 3 photos are exactly why I love first looks.  There’s nothing quite like a couple seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day.

share to:
November 5, 2012 - 9:37 pm

Nancy - Beautiful work! I shoot a lot of weddings at Eagle Ridge so it’s really great to see your take on the same location. It’s easy to kind of get in a bit of a rut! Love your work!

October 18, 2012 - 6:20 pm

Meg - Gorgeous, Kim! I love that picture of her getting ready and all that negative space. You should get this published!

October 18, 2012 - 9:27 am

Dallas - Wow. Just, wow. These are beyond stunning. I love the incredibly crisp ring shot, the beautiful one of your bride standing, getting ready, with the grey/white gradient overtop, the awesome wedding party photos (she must LOVE those!) and the love-filled portraits. Amazing!

October 18, 2012 - 9:24 am

Jillian Tree - Such a gorgeous wedding! And you captured it beautifully Kim! <3

Yvette + Darren: A Bay Area Proposal

A proposal has been on my list of things I’ve been dying to photograph for quite some time now.  So you can imagine how happy I was when Darren emailed me that he was not only wanting to surprise his girlfriend Yvette with a photo shoot but that he was also going to propose to her during it.   Plans were hatched, details were decided and code words were picked.

The day soon arrived and we started things off like any other shoot.  The afternoon couldn’t have gone anymore perfect and these two were so fun to photograph.  Complete naturals and their love for one another was contagious.  And once that joyful moment arrived and Darren asked her to marry him, the look on Yvette’s face was simply beautiful.

Being able to document a proposal was just amazing and even more so because it was for my friend and seeing her so happy brought tears to my eyes and the biggest smile to my face.  Major props to Darren for planning something so special for his girl and keeping it together for the whole shoot beforehand.

Love you guys and couldn’t be more thrilled for you and the year ahead.  I’m so honored to have been a part of it and even more honored to call you both friends.  xoxo

Once our code words were exchanged, I kept Yvette distracted by taking a few photos of just her while Darren pulled out the ring
box.  When she turned back around, Darren was on bended knee.

Darren had one more surprise for Yvette and they walked over to a picnic blanket with 3 different items symbolizing their
past, present and future.  So sweet.

share to:
April 4, 2013 - 10:12 pm

65 days ‹ i love ettevy - […] Check out more photos on Kim’s blog! […]

October 19, 2012 - 11:11 am

AnnaLisa - These photos are amazing Kim!! How awesome that you got to document their proposal. I agree with Dallas…some of your most beautiful photos.

October 4, 2012 - 11:01 pm

meg - LOVE it. You did such a great job. These two are so cute!

October 4, 2012 - 5:15 pm

Jillian Tree - LOVE! So cute Yvette, amazing photos Kim <3

October 4, 2012 - 3:18 pm

Dallas - Yay! SO incredible! What an awesome experience. Also, I think these might be some of your most beautiful photos ever. The setting, the lighting, the gorgeous couple – all captured by a true artist!

October 4, 2012 - 2:50 pm

jana - kim this is SO FABULOUS! what a gorgeous couple and gorgeous photos! so beautifully done!!!!! congratulations to the couple!

Di + Blair: Balboa Park Engagement In San Diego

It’s been a summer of traveling up and down the coast of California for weddings and engagement shoots.  I really do love getting the opportunity to visit so many cities and new places as well as the chance to meet such great couples from all over. Last month we had the pleasure of heading to San Diego for Di and Blair’s engagement session.  San Diego is one of my favorite cities in California and every time we visit, I never want to leave.  When Di suggested doing their engagement session there, I was really excited to head south and shoot at a few new locations. The weekend we chose also happened to be Comic-Con so the city was extra busy but it really did make it all the more fun.

San Diego summers are pretty much perfect and the weather was nice and warm for our entire trip.  It was so great to finally meet these two in person because ever since my initial emails with Di, I knew that this couple would be great to work with.  We spent the afternoon of their session exploring the beautiful Balboa Park.  There is such an ease about this couple and the two of them were naturals at posing.  They are getting married next month in Monterey and we are so pumped to be a part of their big day!  Thanks Di and Blair for everything and we can’t wait to see you both again and celebrate with you soon.  xoxo

share to:
August 21, 2012 - 6:59 pm

Meg - Super, super cute as always. Love the cactus shots.

August 21, 2012 - 5:14 pm

AnnaLisa Banuelos - Gorgeous!!! Love these photos 🙂

August 21, 2012 - 12:17 pm

Cathy - These photos are so beautiful I can’t wait to see the ones from their wedding!

August 21, 2012 - 9:40 am

Jana - Great work Kim! I love all the colors!!!!! And they are just so happy! I can just feel the emotion through your images!

Happiness. 11 years worth.

I can’t pinpoint exactly when but I knew.  And if we’re being honest, you seemed to know even earlier.  We had only been dating for a few weeks, but one warm summer night you said those 3 words that every girl wants to hear with such sincere certainty that made my heart melt. I was leaving for my freshman year of college in just one short month but you assured me.  You told me that we would make it.  Those 4 weeks quickly passed and the eventual tearful goodbye was soon upon us.  That day was one of the hardest but your confidence in us was unwavering. You were my rock through those hard months of being hundreds of miles apart.

Even in those early days, I trusted you and your amazing heart.  I still do.  We’ve grown up and changed a lot in 11 years but it’s only made us closer. Stronger.  The boy that I fell in love with back then was definitely special.  But the man I am married to today is nothing short of spectacular.  Your heart of gold and love for Jesus are just two of the many reasons why I am so proud to call you my husband.  My bestest of friends.

Exactly 4 years ago, we stood overlooking the ocean and promised to spend our forevers together.  A day so special that has turned into a marriage that means so much.  This past year has been one of the busiest years of our lives but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  Seeing us taking huge leaps toward our dreams through God’s grace is a blessing.  One that the word thankful doesn’t even begin to describe.  It’s an adventure that I completely treasure but even more so because we are doing it together.  Happy anniversary, love.

share to:
August 20, 2012 - 4:13 pm

AnnaLisa - Just beautiful Kimmy! Happy Anniversary again. xo

August 9, 2012 - 4:51 pm

Meg - I love how you write.

August 9, 2012 - 11:16 am

Adri - Congratulations to you and Matt! I remember hearing all about him back in Pentland during what was a crazy first year of college for the both of us… I kept thinking you were such a lucky girl then… just look at the two of you now 🙂 Wishing you happiness for the next 11 years!

August 9, 2012 - 10:51 am

Dallas - such sweet words. congratulations!

August 9, 2012 - 10:36 am

Janet - That made me tear, Kim! Love. This. So. Much.

August 9, 2012 - 10:08 am

Shauna - Love it.:<3 Happy anniv & thanks for sharing!! 🙂

Carli + Tyler: A Beautiful Backyard Wedding In Ukiah

There were secret glances and understanding nods.  Quiet whispers that finalized the plan.  Carli headed to the dance floor for what she thought was going to be her first dance with her husband.  Instead, her brother and dad appeared holding guitars and Tyler took center stage with a microphone in his hand.  Music began to play and the look of surprise on her face was so sweet as Tyler began to serenade his new bride with the song “God gave me you”.  She was beaming with joy as she swayed back and forth and quietly sang along.  With each word Tyler sang, you could tell that the lyrics fit perfectly with what is written on their hearts.  Their big, beautiful hearts.

It was an amazing celebration of love surrounded by one of the kindest families I’ve ever met.  Carli had her heart set on a backyard wedding reception and everything came together perfectly.

Carli and Tyler, I feel so blessed to have met you both and to have had the privilege to be a part of your wedding.  It was such a joyous day and I loved every minute of it.  You guys are an amazing couple and a big thank you for everything.  xoxo

I don’t think that smile left Tyler’s face the whole day.  He was so eager to see Carli and you could feel the love between them when they
locked eyes for the first time as she walked down the aisle.

Line dancing plays a big role in Carli and Tyler’s love story and it did at their wedding as well.  It was a beautiful night of celebrating
under strings of lights.

A special thank you to my second shooter and sister Melissa for helping out.

share to:
August 20, 2012 - 4:18 pm

AnnaLisa - I just love your view of things. Beautiful.

August 2, 2012 - 10:30 pm

Meg - You did such a beautiful job. Love the colors!

August 2, 2012 - 9:44 am

Veronica - These pictures make me want to get married all over again and steal this wedding 🙂 Storybook loveliness here! Congrats to this beautiful couple. I can’t stop ogling their wedding, everything and everyone is so gorgeous! And that dress! And those shoes!! And the guitars! Ack. Just lovely. You capture love like no one else 🙂